Lawyers challenging those responsible for human rights violations pay an extremely high price - becoming targets of intimidation and repression because of the nature of the cases they take on. They may have their work obstructed, be followed, watched, harassed, subjected to spurious prosecutions, killed or ‘forcibly disappeared’. Many are forced into exile in fear of their lives. In Colombia alone many lawyers are murdered each year, the vast majority with impunity.
Around one in three of the human rights defenders PBI works with are lawyers, and many more provide legal advice and support alongside other work.
Accompanied lawyers
Colombia
José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CCAJAR)
Freedom Legal Corporation (CJL)
Luis Carlos Pérez Lawyers’ Collective (CCALCP)
Guatemala
Edgar Pérez Archila and the Human Rights Law Firm
Honduras
Donald Hernandez (CEHPRODEC)
Mexico
Alba Cruz and the Integral Defence Committee for Human Rights “Gobixha” (Codigo-DH)
Centre for Human Rights and Legal Advice for Indigenous Peoples (Cedhapi)
Tlachinollan Human Rights Centre
PBI also accompanies lawyers working within other human rights organisations and non-lawyers working on legal cases and rule of law issues - see Fighting impunity